Ayoola Adeleke
The NNL got underway at the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium, Enugu on Tuesday with the opening encounter between Gombe United and Elkanemi Warriors ending 1-1.
Ibrahim Yuga who had earlier been denied on two different occasions picked himself up on the 32nd minute to slot in the Warriors’ goal from the penalty mark after he was adjuged to have been brought down in the box.
Gombe picked themselves up and started their hunt for the equaliser, just as Elkanemi Warriors were searching for the security goal to seal their victory – both sides getting promising chances from well calculated attacks initiated at each other’s defense.
The first half will not end without the usual melodrama in Nigerian football as Gombe United unhappy fans confronted the fourth official after the center referee ignored a penalty appeal from the Savannah Scorpions.
The second half resumed with both sides picking things from where they were left in the first half. Gombe made a tactical change on the 57th minute, sending in Yusuf Abdullazeez and Usman Rabiu for Chidi Ernest and Muhammed Hassani.
The Elkanemi Warriors goalkeeper, Itodo Akor showed class as he rose to the rescue of his team on several occasions, but Gombe kept on pushing for an equaliser, throwing in all they had in their kitty.
Gombe’s hunt will come to success after Ibrahim Yahaya from a well initiated attack by Ahmed Jimoh, lobbed Ayo Ojo, to level for his side.
The game will end in that fashion despite the two sides looking for what could earn them the winning goal, which wouldn’t come, at least for the game.
Elkanemi Warriors sits atop the group based on alphabetical order pending DMD vs Niger Tornadoes fixtures.
#Ayoola Adeleke